Cantilevered screw assembly

ABSTRACT

A cantilevered screw assembly comprising an improved anchor system. In an exemplary embodiment, a support wall may be formed of a single casting with at least a portion of a bearing housing. An exemplary embodiment of a cantilevered screw assembly may also comprise at least one solid oil bearing to facilitate rotation of the screw.

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/967,968, filed Dec. 14, 2015, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/818,751, filed Aug. 5, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No.9,212,005, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/667,313, filed Nov. 2, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,132,968, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/555,863, filedNov. 4, 2011, each of which is incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate generally to acantilevered screw assembly. Examples of cantilevered screw assembliesmay include, but are not limited to, augers, compactors, crushers,shredders, feeders, material handlers, bale breakers, briquetters, andautoclave sterilizers. Other applications of cantilevered screwassemblies are also possible.

There is a need to improve known cantilevered screw assemblies. Largescale cantilevered screw assemblies are in particular need ofimprovement due to the dynamics of such systems. Nevertheless, smallscale cantilevered screw assemblies may have a similar need forimprovement.

Known cantilevered screw assemblies have used grease-lubricatedbearings. Such systems may provide a reservoir of grease that issupplied to the bearings. While effective, the reservoir of grease needsto be periodically refilled, which increases the necessary maintenanceof the system. The associated downtime also limits the productivity ofthe system. In addition, replenishing the grease adds to the operationalcost of the system. A further drawback is that the grease willeventually lead to oil drips or other oily messes. Thus, there are needsto improve the maintenance, operational costs, and environmentalfriendliness of cantilevered screw assemblies.

Additional needs exist to improve the stability, size, and load-bearingcapacity of cantilevered screw assemblies. The screws of some knowncantilevered screw assemblies have a tendency to shift in position orwobble during operation. The anchoring of known cantilevered screwassemblies may also limit load-bearing capacity. For instance, knownassemblies may cantilever a screw to a load-bearing wall. Theload-bearing wall may limit the size of the screw and the amount ofmaterial that can be processed. If the size of the screw is excessive,it may compromise the load-bearing wall. For example, it may lead to oilcanning of the load-bearing wall. Oil canning may affect the operationof the screw as aforementioned, and it may eventually render the systeminoperable.

Needs also exist to reduce the weight and manufacturing complexity ofcantilevered screw assemblies. Some known cantilevered screw assembliessimply increase the girth of a load-bearing wall or include a series ofbracing members in an attempt to increase the assemblies' load-bearingcapacity. The assemblies of some known cantilevered screw assembliesalso require many separate parts to be welded or otherwise assembledtogether to create the cantilevered screw assembly. This requiresadditional design and manufacturing complexity, including time,material, equipment, and labor resources to manufacture the assembly.Further, the additional fasteners, weld material, and other assemblydevices add more weight to the assembly.

Exemplary embodiments may satisfy one or more of the aforementionedneeds. One exemplary embodiment of a cantilevered screw assembly mayinclude at least one bearing that includes solid oil. For example, oneembodiment of a cantilevered screw assembly may include at least onebearing that is filled with solid oil. Such embodiments of acantilevered screw assembly may offer numerous advantages includingsubstantially decreased maintenance, lower operational costs, highersystem efficiency, and improved environmental characteristics. It isestimated that the bearings of some exemplary embodiments may last atleast two times longer between maintenance intervals as compared to acomparable cantilevered screw assembly that uses grease-lubricatedbearings, which may significantly lower operational costs and raiseoperational efficiency. Moreover, oil leaks and drips may besubstantially eliminated, drastically reducing the environmental impact.

Another exemplary embodiment of a cantilevered screw assembly includesan improved anchor system comprising at least one load-bearing wall. Inparticular, an exemplary embodiment may comprise a screw that iscantilevered to at least one wall. Examples of the improved anchorsystem may allow for a larger screw without compromising stability orthe integrity of the load-bearing wall. Also, exemplary embodiments mayenable more material to be processed by the cantilevered screw assemblywith greater power and torque. Exemplary embodiments may further allowfor reduced construction costs and assembly size when compared toassemblies requiring additional walls or other large assemblies forcantilevering the screw assembly.

Another exemplary embodiment of a cantilevered screw assembly includes abearing housing and a wall comprised of a single casting. In particular,the wall may be cast with at least a portion of the bearing housing inan exemplary embodiment. For example, the bearing housing may comprise abody, a flared edge, a plurality of flanges, and/or a number ofreceptacles that are formed of a single casting with the support wall,thereby eliminating the need to manufacture and assemble these partsseparately. In an exemplary embodiment, the single casting may reducemanufacturing and assembly costs when compared to assemblies requiringthat these parts be manufactured separately and assembled. This mayadditionally reduce excess material such as weld material, fasteners,other assembly devices, or other excess material otherwise required tomanufacture the assembly, which may reduce the weight of the assembly.Further, this may eliminate or lessen the need for increased girth ofthe walls or additional bracing members. This may also allow forincreased strength and rigidity of a comparable or lesser weightassembly.

In addition to the novel features and advantages mentioned above, otherbenefits will be readily apparent from the following descriptions of thedrawings and exemplary embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-section view of an exemplary embodiment of acantilevered screw assembly.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cantilevered screw assembly of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of aload-bearing wall assembly of the cantilevered screw assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the load-bearing wall assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cantilevered screw assembly ofFIG. 1. In this view, portions have been removed or rendered transparentfor clarity.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the cantilevered screw assembly ofFIG. 5, wherein portions have been removed or rendered transparent forclarity.

FIG. 7 is a cross-section view of an exemplary embodiment of acantilevered screw assembly, additionally indicating Detail A.

FIG. 8 is a view of Detail A of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross-section view of the cantilevered screw assembly ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a rear cross-section view of the cantilevered screw assemblyof FIG. 7, where portions have been removed for clarity.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of acantilevered screw assembly, where portions have been removed forclarity.

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the cast wall assembly of FIG.11.

FIG. 13 is a rear elevation view of the assembly of FIG. 11,additionally indicating section line A-A.

FIG. 14 is a view taken along section line A-A of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed to acantilevered screw assembly. FIGS. 1-6 show various views of oneembodiment of a cantilevered screw assembly 10 comprising a screw 12,which has a shaft 14. In this example, the shaft 14 has a slight taper.Other types of cantilevered screw assemblies may also benefit fromaspects of the present invention. For instance, some embodiments may nothave a shaft with a taper, while other embodiments may have a shaft witha reverse taper. For embodiments that have a shaft with a taper orreverse taper, the degree of the taper or reverse taper may be selectedto fit the application of the cantilevered screw assembly.

One aspect of an exemplary embodiment is the use of at least one solidoil bearing in association with shaft 14 to facilitate rotation. In theexample of FIG. 1, a first solid oil bearing 20 and a second solid oilbearing 22 enable rotation of shaft 14. Other exemplary embodiments mayinclude the use of more solid oil bearings.

An example of a solid oil bearing may have a cavity that is filled withsolid oil. For example, solid oil bearing 20 has a cavity 24 that isfilled with solid oil 26. Solid oil 26 may form adjacent or around therolling elements of bearing 20, for example, to provide lubrication.Other bearing designs comprising solid oil are also possible.

An example of solid oil is comprised of oil in a polymer matrix orstructure. In other examples, the supporting matrix or structure may becomprised of other types of plastic or other suitable material forretaining or reabsorbing the oil. In an exemplary embodiment, oil fromthe solid oil may provide lubrication substantially without drippingbecause the supporting material may have a porous structure that retainsor reabsorbs the oil. The oil may coat contacting surfaces (e.g., therolling elements), and the supporting structure is adapted to reabsorbany excess oil such that it is not expelled. Examples of solid oil areavailable from PhyMet, Inc. and SKF Group.

In another aspect, screw 12 is cantilevered to the walls of a multiplewall assembly 30. In this example, the multiple wall assembly 30 iscomprised of at least a first wall 32 and a second wall 34 to which thescrew 12 is cantilevered. This exemplary embodiment of multiple wallassembly 30 also includes a third wall 36 associated with shaft 14.Other embodiments may have more or less walls and/or may have a thirdwall that is not associated with the screw shaft. In an exemplaryembodiment, the association of the screw with the multiple wall assemblymay provide improved structural support for the cantilevered assembly ascompared to a conventional single wall cantilevered assembly. Such anembodiment may increase the stability of the screw and also allow for alarger and more powerful screw that has the capacity to process morematerial.

Each wall is comprised of metal in this exemplary embodiment. In otherembodiments, other materials having suitable structural properties maybe used.

In this exemplary embodiment, first wall 32 is connected to second wall34 by at least one reinforcement member. In combination with a multiplewall assembly, the use of an exemplary embodiment of at least onereinforcement member may further improve the stability of the screw andwalls and also allow for an even larger and more powerful screw that isadapted to process more material. This embodiment includes a firstreinforcement member 40, a second reinforcement member 42, a thirdreinforcement member 44, a fourth reinforcement member 46, a fifthreinforcement member 48, and a sixth reinforcement member 50 that arepositioned around shaft 14 and the associated bearing assembly. In thisexample, the peripheries of first wall 32 and second wall 34 are alsoconnected for additional reinforcement. Other embodiments may have lessor more reinforcement members connecting the walls to achieve thedesired reinforcement. Furthermore, in other exemplary embodiments, atleast one reinforcement member may have any suitable position to connecta first wall to a second wall.

First reinforcement member 40, second reinforcement member 42, thirdreinforcement member 44, fourth reinforcement member 46, fifthreinforcement member 48, and sixth reinforcement member 50 are metalpipes in this exemplary embodiment. Other suitable reinforcement membersmay be used including, but not limited to, metal bars and other hollowor solid metal members. In addition, other suitable materials besidesmetal may be used for certain applications.

The bearing assembly may include a bearing housing adapted to house atleast one bearing. In this embodiment, the bearing assembly includes abearing housing 60 for housing bearing 20 and bearing 22. The bearinghousing 60 extends between first wall 32 and second wall 34 in thisexample. Bearing housing 60 may serve as further reinforcement in thismanner. Such as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, an example of a bearing housing60 may include at least one flared edge 62 and at least one flange 64 toassist with stabilization and/or securement to one or more walls (inthis example, wall 32). In addition, an example of flared edge 62 maydefine at least one receptacle 66 to assist with securing areinforcement member. At the same time, second wall 34 further supportsbearing housing 60. Such an embodiment may increase the stability ofscrew 12 and the walls, and it may also allow for a larger and morepowerful screw with the capacity to process more material.

With respect to the example in FIG. 1, solid oil bearing 20 issubstantially aligned with first wall 32, and solid oil bearing 22 issubstantially aligned with second wall 34. In other exemplaryembodiments, a bearing housing may extend out further beyond the firstwall (in a distal direction) and/or the second wall (in a proximaldirection), such that a bearing is not aligned with a respective wall.An example of such an embodiment may increase the stability and strengthcharacteristics of the screw. Also, in some exemplary embodiments, oneor more bearings may be situated between the first wall and the secondwall (i.e., not aligned with either wall).

As aforementioned, bearing housing 60 extends about solid oil bearing 20and solid oil bearing 22 in this example. In other exemplaryembodiments, a bearing housing may house fewer or more bearings.Furthermore, the bearings are not limited to solid oil bearings in thisembodiment. For instance, although solid oil bearings may be preferred,this embodiment may include grease-lubricated bearings or other types ofbearings.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a drive chain assembly 70 may be situatedoutside of second wall 34 (i.e., on the proximal side of second wall34). More particularly, drive chain assembly 70 is situated betweensecond wall 34 and third wall 36 in this example. However, in some otherexemplary embodiments, a drive chain assembly may be situated within asecond wall or in another suitable position for facilitating rotation ofthe screw 12. In the example shown, drive chain assembly 70 is comprisedof a first sprocket 72 and a second sprocket 74. In FIGS. 2, 5, and 6,sprocket 72 is shown as being transparent in order to show otherexemplary features. Sprocket 74 is also transparent in FIG. 6 forclarity. Likewise, second wall 34 has been removed in FIGS. 5 and 6 forclarity. In other exemplary embodiments, other types of drive chainassemblies or other types of drive mechanisms may be used to facilitaterotation of the screw.

FIGS. 7-10 show various views of another exemplary embodiment of acantilevered screw assembly 110. Many aspects of this exemplaryembodiment are similar to the previous embodiment. It should beappreciated that similar features may be structured similarly, operatesimilarly, and/or have the same function unless otherwise indicated bythe drawings or this specification. For example without limitation, ascrew 112, which has a shaft 114, is rotatably mounted by the use of atleast a first solid oil bearing 120 and a second solid oil bearing 122that are housed in a bearing assembly comprising a bearing housing 160.In this example, the bearing housing 160 may extend through a first wall132. The bearing housing 160 may comprise a body 161 that houses thebearings. The bearing housing 160 may further comprise at least oneflared edge 162 in association with at least one flange 164, wherein atleast one flared edge 162 and at least one flange 164 extend from body161. In one exemplary embodiment, the bearing housing may be secured orreinforced in part by the use of a series of receptacles 166 adapted tohouse a series of reinforcement members. Additionally, in an exemplaryembodiment, a drive chain assembly 170, a first sprocket 172, and asecond sprocket 174 may likewise power the rotation of the cantileveredscrew assembly 110.

In the present exemplary embodiment, screw 112 is cantilevered to a wallof a multiple wall assembly 130. In this exemplary embodiment, themultiple wall assembly 130 is comprised of the first wall 132 to whichthe bearings are mounted and the screw 112 is cantilevered. Thisexemplary embodiment of multiple wall assembly 130 also includes ananchor wall 136 associated with shaft 114. In an exemplary embodiment,the association of the screw with the multiple wall assembly may provideimproved structural support for the cantilevered assembly as compared toknown cantilevered assemblies. Such an embodiment may increase thestability of the screw and also allow for a larger and more powerfulscrew that has the capacity to process more material.

In this exemplary embodiment of the multiple wall assembly 130, thefirst wall 132 is connected to anchoring wall 136. The first wall 132may be framed by a channel 102, which may extend from the first wall 132to the anchoring wall 136. In this example, first wall 132 and at leasta portion of bearing housing 160 may be formed as a one-piece unit. Moreparticularly, in a preferred exemplary embodiment, first wall 132 and atleast a portion of bearing housing 160 (e.g., at least a portion of body161, flared edge 162, and/or flange 164) and/or channel 102 may beformed of a single casting. In another example, the bearing assembly maybe fixed to the first wall 132 in part by at least one reinforcementmember and/or at least one reinforcement member may reinforce first wall132 and/or bearing housing 160. Alone or in combination with a multiplewall assembly, the use of an exemplary embodiment of a single castingwith or without at least one reinforcement member may further improvethe stability of the screw and wall(s) and also allow for an even largerand more powerful screw that is adapted to process more material.

The bearing housing 160 may extend beyond first wall 132 and betweenfirst wall 132 and anchoring wall 136 in this example. Bearing housing160 may serve as further reinforcement in this manner. In this exemplaryembodiment, first solid oil bearing 120 and second solid oil bearing 122are respectively situated on opposite sides of first wall 132. Withrespect to the example in FIG. 7, the bearing housing may extend outfurther beyond the first wall 132 (in a distal direction), such thatfirst solid oil bearing 120 is not aligned with a respective wall but islocated beyond the first wall 132 (i.e., on a distal side of first wall132). The second solid oil bearing 122 may be located between the firstwall 132 and the anchoring wall 136 in this example. In other words, thefirst wall 132 may be situated or aligned between the first solid oilbearing 120 and the second solid oil bearing 122. Such an embodiment maypermit a larger screw 112. For example, the flight of screw 112 may beconfigured to extend over the bearing housing 160 such as shown in FIG.7, thereby allowing for a larger screw 112 as well as preventingmaterial from collecting around bearing housing 160 where it may nototherwise be accessible by the screw 112. In other exemplaryembodiments, however, at least one bearing may be aligned with a wall.An example of such an embodiment may also increase the stability andstrength characteristics of the screw.

Referring to FIG. 10, the anchoring wall 136 has been removed forclarity. The drive chain assembly 170 may be situated outside of firstwall 132 (i.e., on the proximal side of first wall 132). Moreparticularly, drive chain assembly 170 is situated between first wall132 and anchoring wall 136 in this example. However, in some otherexemplary embodiments, a drive chain assembly may be situated in anothersuitable position for facilitating rotation of the screw 112. Also, inother exemplary embodiments, other types of drive chain assemblies orother types of drive mechanisms may be used to facilitate rotation ofthe screw.

As mentioned above, in preferred exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, at least a portion of the bearing housing 160 may beintegrally formed with the first wall 132, such as being formed of asingle casting. In another exemplary embodiment, the bearing housing 160may be separately formed from the first wall 132. For example, thebearing housing 160 may be secured to the first wall by welding,press-fit, fasteners, or any other attachment means.

FIGS. 11-14 show various views of another exemplary embodiment of acantilevered screw assembly 210 featuring a cast wall assembly, wherethe screw and other portions are not shown for clarity. Many aspects ofthis exemplary embodiment are similar to the previous embodiments. Itshould be appreciated that similar features may be structured similarly,operate similarly, and/or have the same function unless otherwiseindicated by the drawings or this specification. For example withoutlimitation, a bearing assembly may comprise a bearing housing 260, whichis associated with a first wall 232 and comprises at least one flarededge 262 and at least one flange 264 and may be adapted to be reinforcedsuch as by the use of a series of receptacles adapted to house a seriesof reinforcement members. Additionally, the assembly may be associatedwith at least one wall of a multiple wall assembly 230. For example, themultiple wall assembly 230 may be comprised of the first wall 232, towhich the screw is cantilevered and the bearings are mounted. Though notshown in the present figures, the multiple wall assembly may alsoinclude an anchor wall associated with the shaft.

In the present exemplary embodiment, a first wall assembly 200 may becomprised of the first wall 232, bearing housing 260, at least oneflared edge 262, and/or at least one flange 264. An exemplary embodimentof first wall assembly 200 may also include a second flared edge 208.The second flared edge 208 may be located, sized, and adapted to allowthe motor for a drive chain assembly (e.g., 170 comprising at least onesprocket (e.g., 174) and related components) to pass through and bemounted thereto. In a preferred embodiment, the first wall assembly 200may be comprised of a single casting. A single casting advantageouslystrengthens the assembly and facilitates improved distribution of theforces associated with cantilevering the screw assembly, which maypermit the assembly in one exemplary embodiment to be cantileveredwithout the need for bulky reinforcement members or otherwise largercomponents to handle the associated forces. In addition, a cast wallassembly may decrease assembly costs and increase manufacturingefficiency.

In an exemplary embodiment, this single casting may also reduce theweight of bearing housing 260 by removing otherwise required weldmaterial, fasteners, or other assembly devices. This may likewiseincrease the strength and rigidity per weight of first wall assembly200, thereby increasing the stability of the screw. This may also reducethe manufacturing and assembly complexity required by reducing thenumber of parts required to be manufactured and assembled.Alternatively, the bearing housing 260 may be separately formed from thefirst wall 232 in some exemplary embodiments. In such embodiments, thebearing housing 260 may be secured to the first wall by welding,press-fit, fasteners, or any other attachment means.

The flared edge 262 and the at least one flange 264 may extend furtheracross first wall 232 (i.e., may be larger) in the present embodimentcompared to previous embodiments described herein. Such an embodimentmay allow for improved distribution of forces caused by the screw, whichmay promote increased stability and strength of first wall 232. Moreparticularly, an embodiment comprised of a cast wall assembly may allowfor the flared edge 262 and the at least one flange 264 to extendfurther across first wall 232 as compared to previous embodiments of asimilar weight that are not comprised of a cast wall assembly, therebyincreasing strength and stability per weight.

The first wall 232 may be framed by a channel 202, which may also beincluded in the single casting in some embodiments to further enhancestrength and stability. The channel 202 may extend from the first wall232 to the anchoring wall. As needed, in view of channel 202, the upperand lower portions of the flared edge 262 may comprise flat surfaces 206to permit the flared edge 262 to fit on the first wall 232. However, anexample of the channel 202 may comprise at least one arched section 204configured to accommodate a larger flared edge 262 without acorresponding flat surface 206.

An example of the first wall assembly 200 may comprise a series ofreceptacles 266, which may function similarly to the receptacles 166,though they may be of different size and location. The receptacles 266may be sized and located to receive reinforcement members. As a resultof casting, however, an exemplary embodiment may not require additionalreinforcement members. In such other embodiments, the receptacles 266may be more accurately described as apertures, which may likewise belocated between each of the at least one flange 264. For example, theapertures 266 may be utilized without reinforcement members and mayserve to reduce the amount of material and thus the weight of the firstwall assembly 200, while still providing sufficient stability andstrength for particular applications.

Due to the aforementioned benefits, the exemplary embodiments of acantilevered screw assembly are particularly useful for processing wastematerials. However, exemplary embodiments of a cantilevered screwassembly may also serve other purposes not limited to the processing ofwaste materials.

Any embodiment of the present invention may include any of the optionalor preferred features of the other embodiments of the present invention.The exemplary embodiments herein disclosed are not intended to beexhaustive or to unnecessarily limit the scope of the invention. Theexemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain someof the principles of the present invention so that others skilled in theart may practice the invention. Having shown and described exemplaryembodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art willrealize that many variations and modifications may be made to thedescribed invention. Many of those variations and modifications willprovide the same result and fall within the spirit of the claimedinvention. It is the intention, therefore, to limit the invention onlyas indicated by the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A screw assembly comprising: a screw housing; ascrew cantilevered to said screw housing; and a bearing assembly adaptedto facilitate rotation of said screw relative to said screw housing,said bearing assembly comprising a bearing housing that houses at leastone solid oil bearing comprising oil in a structure that is adapted toretain or reabsorb said oil.
 2. The screw assembly of claim 1 whereineach said solid oil bearing comprises a cavity filled with said oil. 3.The screw assembly of claim 1 wherein said structure is comprised ofpolymer.
 4. The screw assembly of claim 1 wherein said structure is apolymer matrix.
 5. The screw assembly of claim 1 wherein said structureis a porous structure.
 6. The screw assembly of claim 1 wherein saidscrew comprises a shaft in association with said at least one solid oilbearing.
 7. The screw assembly of claim 1 wherein said at least onesolid oil bearing comprises a solid oil bearing that is aligned with awall of said screw housing.
 8. The screw assembly of claim 1 whereinsaid at least one solid oil bearing comprises at least a first solid oilbearing and a second solid oil bearing.
 9. The screw assembly of claim 1wherein said screw assembly is adapted to process waste material. 10.The screw assembly of claim 1 wherein said bearing housing has a stableconnection to said screw housing.
 11. The screw assembly of claim 1wherein said screw is an auger.
 12. The screw assembly of claim 1wherein said bearing housing comprises at least one flared edge thatfacilitates securement to said screw housing.
 13. The screw assembly ofclaim 1 wherein said screw housing comprises at least one wall to whichsaid screw is cantilevered.
 14. The screw assembly of claim 1 whereinsaid screw housing comprises a plurality of walls to which said screw iscantilevered.
 15. A screw assembly comprising: at least one wall; ascrew cantilevered to said at least one wall; and a bearing assemblyadapted to facilitate rotation of said screw relative to said at leastone wall, said bearing assembly comprising a bearing housing that housesat least one solid oil bearing comprising oil in a structure that isadapted to retain or reabsorb said oil.
 16. The screw assembly of claim15 wherein each said solid oil bearing comprises a cavity filled withsaid oil.
 17. The screw assembly of claim 15 wherein said structure iscomprised of polymer.
 18. The screw assembly of claim 15 wherein saidstructure is a polymer matrix.
 19. The screw assembly of claim 15wherein said structure is a porous structure.
 20. The screw assembly ofclaim 15 wherein said screw comprises a shaft in association with saidat least one solid oil bearing.
 21. The screw assembly of claim 15wherein: said at least one solid oil bearing comprises at least a firstsolid oil bearing; said at least one wall comprises at least a firstwall; and said first solid oil bearing is aligned with said first wall.22. The screw assembly of claim 15 wherein said at least one solid oilbearing comprises at least a first solid oil bearing and a second solidoil bearing.
 23. The screw assembly of claim 15 wherein said screwassembly is adapted to process waste material.
 24. The screw assembly ofclaim 15 wherein said bearing housing has a stable connection to said atleast one wall.
 25. The screw assembly of claim 15 wherein said screw isan auger.
 26. The screw assembly of claim 15 wherein said bearinghousing comprises at least one flared edge that facilitates securementto at least a first wall of said at least one wall.
 27. The screwassembly of claim 15 wherein said at least one wall comprises aplurality of walls to which said screw is cantilevered.
 28. The screwassembly of claim 15 wherein: said at least one wall comprises at leasta first wall and a second wall, said second wall adjacent and spacedapart from said first wall; and said screw is cantilevered to said firstwall and said second wall.
 29. The screw assembly of claim 28 whereinsaid at least one solid oil bearing comprises: a first solid oil bearingsubstantially aligned with said first wall; and a second solid oilbearing substantially aligned with said second wall.
 30. The screwassembly of claim 29 wherein said bearing housing extends from saidfirst wall to said second wall such that said bearing housing extendsabout said first solid oil bearing and said second solid oil bearing.31. The screw assembly of claim 28 further comprising at least onereinforcement member connecting said first wall to said second wall. 32.The screw assembly of claim 31 wherein said at least one reinforcementmember comprises a metal pipe.
 33. The screw assembly of claim 31wherein: a plurality of said reinforcement members connect said walls;and said reinforcement members are positioned around a shaft of thescrew.
 34. The screw assembly of claim 33 wherein said bearing housingconnects said walls such that there is a stable connection to saidwalls.
 35. The screw assembly of claim 28 wherein said at least one wallfurther comprises a third wall adjacent and spaced apart from saidsecond wall.
 36. The screw assembly of claim 35 wherein: said screwcomprises a shaft; and said third wall is associated with said shaft.37. The screw assembly of claim 35 further comprising a drive chainassembly situated between said second wall and said third wall such thatsaid drive chain assembly is adapted to facilitate rotation of saidscrew.
 38. The screw assembly of claim 35 wherein: at least onereinforcement member connects said first wall to said second wall; saidbearing housing extends from said first wall to said second wall suchthat there is a stable connection to said first wall and said secondwall; and a drive chain assembly is situated between said second walland said third wall such that said drive chain assembly is adapted tofacilitate rotation of said screw.
 39. A screw assembly comprising: atleast a first wall; a screw cantilevered to said first wall; and abearing assembly adapted to facilitate rotation of said screw relativeto said first wall, said bearing assembly comprising a bearing housingthat houses at least one solid oil bearing comprising oil in a structurethat is adapted to retain or reabsorb said oil, said bearing assemblysecured to said first wall such that said first wall and at least aportion of said bearing housing are formed of a single casting.
 40. Thescrew assembly of claim 39 wherein each said solid oil bearing comprisesa cavity filled with said oil.
 41. The screw assembly of claim 39wherein said structure is comprised of polymer.
 42. The screw assemblyof claim 39 wherein said structure is a polymer matrix.
 43. The screwassembly of claim 39 wherein said structure is a porous structure. 44.The screw assembly of claim 39 wherein said screw comprises a shaft inassociation with said at least one solid oil bearing.
 45. The screwassembly of claim 39 wherein said bearing housing comprises: a body; andat least one flared edge extending from said body; wherein at least aportion of said body and said at least one flared edge are formed ofsaid single casting with said first wall.
 46. The screw assembly ofclaim 39 wherein said at least one solid oil bearing comprises a firstsolid oil bearing and a second solid oil bearing.
 47. The screw assemblyof claim 46 wherein said first solid oil bearing and said second solidoil bearing are respectively situated on opposite sides of said firstwall.
 48. The screw assembly of claim 46 wherein said first wall isadjacent to and spaced apart from a second wall.
 49. The screw assemblyof claim 48 wherein said first solid oil bearing and said second solidoil bearing are respectively situated on opposite sides of said firstwall such that said first solid oil bearing is situated on a distal sideof said first wall and said second solid oil bearing is situated betweensaid first wall and said second wall.
 50. The screw assembly of claim 48further comprising a drive chain assembly situated between said firstwall and said second wall; wherein said drive chain assembly is adaptedto facilitate rotation of said screw.
 51. The screw assembly of claim 48further comprising at least one reinforcement member connecting saidbearing assembly to said second wall.
 52. The screw assembly of claim 48wherein said screw comprises a shaft associated with said first wall andsaid second wall.
 53. The screw assembly of claim 48 wherein saidbearing housing comprises: a body; and at least one flared edgeextending from said body; wherein at least a portion of said body andsaid at least one flared edge are formed of said single casting withsaid first wall.
 54. The screw assembly of claim 48 wherein said firstwall is aligned between said first solid oil bearing and said secondsolid oil bearing.
 55. The screw assembly of claim 54 further comprisinga plurality of reinforcement members connecting said first wall to saidsecond wall such that said reinforcement members are positioned around ashaft of the screw.
 56. The screw assembly of claim 54 wherein: saidbearing housing extends through said first wall; and a flight of saidscrew extends over said bearing housing.
 57. The screw assembly of claim54 wherein said bearing housing comprises: a body; and at least oneflared edge extending from said body; wherein at least a portion of saidbody and said at least one flared edge are formed of said single castingwith said first wall.
 58. The screw assembly of claim 54 furthercomprising a drive chain assembly situated between said first wall andsecond wall; wherein said drive chain assembly is adapted to facilitaterotation of said screw.
 59. The screw assembly of claim 39 wherein saidbearing housing extends through said first wall.
 60. The screw assemblyof claim 59 wherein a flight of said screw extends over said bearinghousing.
 61. The screw assembly of claim 39 wherein said screw assemblyis adapted to process waste material.
 62. The screw assembly of claim 39wherein said screw is an auger.
 63. The screw assembly of claim 39wherein said screw is cantilevered to at least a second wall.
 64. Thescrew assembly of claim 63 wherein said second wall is adjacent andspaced apart from said first wall.
 65. The screw assembly of claim 39wherein: said at least one solid oil bearing comprises a first solid oilbearing and a second solid oil bearing; and said bearing housing extendsabout said first solid oil bearing and said second solid oil bearing.66. The screw assembly of claim 39 wherein said first wall is adjacentto and spaced apart from a second wall.
 67. The screw assembly of claim66 further comprising at least one reinforcement member connecting saidsingle casting to said second wall.
 68. The screw assembly of claim 67wherein said at least one reinforcement member comprises a metal pipe.69. The screw assembly of claim 67 wherein: a plurality of saidreinforcement members connect said walls; and said reinforcement membersare positioned around a shaft of the screw.
 70. The screw assembly ofclaim 66 further comprising a drive chain assembly situated between saidfirst wall and said second wall such that said drive chain assembly isadapted to facilitate rotation of said screw.
 71. The screw assembly ofclaim 66 further comprising: at least one reinforcement memberconnecting said single casting to said second wall; and a drive chainassembly situated between said first wall and said second wall such thatsaid drive chain assembly is adapted to facilitate rotation of saidscrew.
 72. The screw assembly of claim 66 wherein said bearing housingextends from said first wall to said second wall.
 73. The screw assemblyof claim 39 wherein said at least one solid oil bearing comprises asolid oil bearing that is aligned with a wall of said screw assembly.74. The screw assembly of claim 73 wherein said solid oil bearing isaligned with said first wall.